Nanoscale on-chip all-optical logic parity checker in integrated plasmonic circuits in optical communication range

Plasmonic switches based on VO2as the phase change material

In this paper, a comprehensive review of the recent advancements in the design and development of plasmonic switches based on vanadium dioxide (VO2) is presented. Plasmonic switches are employed in applications such as integrated photonics, plasmonic logic circuits and computing networks for light routing and switching, and are based on the switching of the plasmonic properties under the effect of an external stimulus. In the last few decades, plasmonic switches have seen a significant growth because of their ultra-fast switching speed, wide spectral tunability, ultra-compact size, and low losses. In this review, first, the mechanism of the semiconductor to metal phase transition in VO2is discussed and the reasons for employing VO2over other phase change materials for plasmonic switching are described. Subsequently, an exhaustive review and comparison of the current state-of-the-art plasmonic switches based on VO2proposed in the last decade is carried out. As the phase transition in VO2can be activated by application of temperature, voltage or optical light pulses, this review paper has been categorized into thermally-activated, electrically-activated, and optically-activated plasmonic switches based on VO2operating in the visible, near-infrared, infrared and terahertz frequency regions.

Functional all-optical logic gates for true time-domain signal processing in nonlinear photonic crystal waveguides

We present a conceptual study on the realization of functional and easily scalable all-optical NOT, AND and NAND logic gates using bandgap solitons in coupled photonic crystal waveguides. The underlying structure consists of a planar air-hole type photonic crystal with a hexagonal lattice of air holes in crystalline silicon (c-Si) as the nonlinear background material. The remaining logical operations can be performed using combinations of these three logic gates. A unique feature of the proposed working scheme is that it operates in the true time-domain, enabling temporal solitons to maintain a stable pulse envelope during each logical operation. Hence, multiple concatenated all-optical logic gates can be easily realized, paving the way to multiple-input all-optical logic gates for ultrafast full-optical digital signal processing. In the suggested setup, there is no need to amplify the output signal after each operation, which can be directly used as a new input signal for another logical operation. The feasibility and efficiency of the proposed logic gates as well as their scalability is demonstrated using our original rigorous theoretical formalism together with full-wave computational electromagnetics.

Realization of true all-optical AND logic gate based on nonlinear coupled air-hole type photonic crystal waveguides

In this manuscript we propose an easily scalable true all-optical AND logic gate for pulsed signal operation based on band-gap transmission within nonlinear realistic air-hole type coupled photonic crystal waveguides (C-PCW). We call it "true" all-optical AND logic gate, because all AND gate topologies operate with temporal solitons that maintain a stable pulse envelope during the optical signal processing along the different C-PCW modules yielding ultrafast full-optical digital signal processing. We directly use the registered (output) signal pulse as new input signal between multiple concatenated nonlinear C-PCW modules (i.e. AND gates) to setup a multiple-input true all-optical AND logic gate. Extensive full-wave computational electromagnetic analysis proves the correctness of our theoretical studies and the proposed operation principle of the multiple-input AND logic gate is vividly demonstrated for realistic C-PCWs.

Spin-encoded subwavelength all-optical logic gates based on single-element optical slot nanoantennas

Optical logic gates are important elements in optical computing and optical circuits. However, the footprints of the present optical logic gates are still on the micrometer scale. Further miniaturization of the logic gates to nanometer scale remains challenging. Here we propose, and demonstrate experimentally, subwavelength all-optical logic gates based on single-element optical slot nanoantennas. By employing a spin-encoded scheme, we achieve OR, AND, NOT, NAND and NOR logic gates via an L-shaped optical slot nanoantenna with a footprint of 300 nm by 300 nm, and a XNOR logic gate via a rectangle optical slot nanoantenna with a footprint of 220 nm by 60 nm. The SPP launching and logic operation via mode coupling instead of path interference are integrated together at a single-element nanoantenna, which considerably shrinks the dimensions of the device. The experimental results show the potential of the single optical slot nanoantenna in subwavelength all-optical logic computing and nanophotonic information processing.

Proposal for nanoscale cascaded plasmonic majority gates for non-Boolean computation

Surface-plasmon-polariton waves propagating at the interface between a metal and a dielectric, hold the key to future high-bandwidth, dense on-chip integrated logic circuits overcoming the diffraction limitation of photonics. While recent advances in plasmonic logic have witnessed the demonstration of basic and universal logic gates, these CMOS oriented digital logic gates cannot fully utilize the expressive power of this novel technology. Here, we aim at unraveling the true potential of plasmonics by exploiting an enhanced native functionality - the majority voter. Contrary to the state-of-the-art plasmonic logic devices, we use the phase of the wave instead of the intensity as the state or computational variable. We propose and demonstrate, via numerical simulations, a comprehensive scheme for building a nanoscale cascadable plasmonic majority logic gate along with a novel referencing scheme that can directly translate the information encoded in the amplitude and phase of the wave into electric field intensity at the output. Our MIM-based 3-input majority gate displays a highly improved overall area of only 0.636 μm² for a single-stage compared with previous works on plasmonic logic. The proposed device demonstrates non-Boolean computational capability and can find direct utility in highly parallel real-time signal processing applications like pattern recognition.

A DNA-based parity generator/checker for error detection through data transmission with visual readout and an output-correction function

During any type of binary data transmission, the occurrence of bit errors is an inevitable and frequent problem suffered. These errors, which have fatal effects on the correct logic computation, especially in sophisticated logic circuits, can be checked through insertion of a parity generator (pG) at the transmitting end and a parity checker (pC) at the receiving end. Herein, taking even pG/pC as a model device, we constructed the first DNA-based molecular parity generator/checker (pG/pC) for error detection through data transmission, on a universal single-strand platform according to solely DNA hybridization. Compared with previous pG/pC systems, the distinct advantage of this one is that it can present not only fluorescence signals but also visual outputs, which can be directly recognized by the naked eye, using DNA inputs modulated split-G-quadruplex and its DNAzyme as signal reporters, thus greatly extending its potential practical applications. More importantly, an "Output-Correction" function was introduced into the pC for the first time, in which all of the erroneous outputs can be adequately corrected to their normal states, guaranteeing the regular operation of subsequent logic devices. Furthermore, through negative logic conversion towards the constructed even pG/pC, the odd pG/pC with equal functions was obtained. Furthermore, this system can also execute multi-input triggered concatenated logic computations with dual output-modes, which largely fulfilled the requirements of complicated computing.

Exploiting Polydopamine Nanospheres to DNA Computing: A Simple, Enzyme-Free and G-Quadruplex-Free DNA Parity Generator/Checker for Error Detection during Data Transmission

Molecular logic devices with various functions play an indispensable role in molecular data transmission/processing. However, during any kinds of data transmission, a constant and unavoidable circumstance is the appearance of bit errors, which have serious effects on the regular logic computation. Fortunately, these errors can be detected via plugging a parity generator (pG) at the transmitting terminal and a parity checker (pC) at the receiving terminal. Herein, taking advantage of the efficient adsorption/quenching ability of polydopamine nanospheres toward fluorophore-labeled single-stranded DNA, we explored this biocompatible nanomaterial to DNA logic computation and constructed the first simple, enzyme-free, and G-quadruplex-free DNA pG/pC for error detection through data transmission. Besides, graphene oxide (GO) was innovatively introduced as the "corrective element" to perform the output-correction function of pC. All the erroneous outputs were corrected to normal conditions completely, ensuring the regular operation of later logic computing. The total operation of this non-G4 pG/pC system (error checking/output-correction) could be completed within 1 h (about ¹/₃ of previous G4 platform) in a simpler and more efficient way. Notably, the odd pG/pC with analogous functions was also achieved through negative logic conversion to the fabricated even one. Furthermore, the same system could also perform three-input concatenated logic computation (XOR-INHIBIT), enriching the complexity of PDs-based logic computation.

All-optical transistor- and diode-action and logic gates based on anisotropic nonlinear responsive liquid crystal

In this paper, we show that anisotropic photosensitive nematic liquid crystals (PNLC) made by incorporating anisotropic absorbing dyes are promising candidates for constructing all-optical elements by virtue of the extraordinarily large optical nonlinearity of the nematic host. In particular, we have demonstrated several room-temperature ‘prototype’ PNLC-based all-optical devices such as optical diode, optical transistor and all primary logic gate operations (OR, AND, NOT) based on such optical transistor. Owing to the anisotropic absorption property and the optical activity of the twist alignment nematic cell, spatially non-reciprocal transmission response can be obtained within a sizeable optical isolation region of ~210 mW. Exploiting the same mechanisms, a tri-terminal configuration as an all-optical analogue of a bipolar junction transistor is fabricated. Its ability to be switched by an optical field enables us to realize an all-optical transistor and demonstrate cascadability, signal fan-out, logic restoration, and various logical gate operations such as OR, AND and NOT. Due to the possibility of synthesizing anisotropic dyes and wide ranging choice of liquid crystals nonlinear optical mechanisms, these all-optical operations can be optimized to have much lower thresholds and faster response speeds. The demonstrated capabilities of these devices have shown great potential in all-optical control system and photonic integrated circuits.